Liverpool has been hit with a huge blow ahead of their Champions League showdown with Barcelona. Any hopes of a comeback appear all but gone as it has been confirmed Mohamed Salah will miss the return leg.
The Reds trail the Blaugrana 3-0 ahead of their Anfield showdown but will have to make do without their Egyptian ace. This comes after he picked up an injury over the weekend.
The attacker was involved in a nasty collision with the Newcastle goalkeeper in their 3-2 win over the Magpies. The 26-year-old was left with a head injury and had to be stretchered off the pitch in tears.
There was optimism that Salah would be back in time for the Champions League semi-final encounter after he was spotted walking out of St. James' Park on his own. However, it has now been confirmed that he will play no part in Tuesday's European tie.
"The Egyptian was forced from the pitch with a head injury during Saturday evening's 3-2 victory at Newcastle United and will not be available for the meeting with the La Liga champions," an official statementon the club's website read.
Klopp also opened up about their top-scorer's fitness, saying (as per the Sun): "He is unavailable. It's a precaution, it's a concussion.
"That means he is not allowed to play, so that is it. He is OK but not good enough for a medical point of view.
"He is desperate but we cannot do it. That is it."
This could likely be the final nail to the coffin for the Merseyside giant. Many already felt the tie was over after their 3-0 defeat at the Camp Nou, but any glimmer of hope is likely gone now.
Furthermore, Roberto Firmino had already been ruled out for the clash with the Blaugrana due to a muscle injury. This means Sadio Mane will be the only one available from Liverpool's famed attacking trio when Messi and Co. come visiting.
Keita picked up a knock in that first-leg defeat, bringing an end to his season and leaving Klopp without many key players. It did not take too long for people to take to social media. Here's how the reaction was on Twitter.
Mo Salah will miss Liverpool's #UCL semi-final vs Barca on Tuesday due to concussion.
— COPA90 (@COPA90) May 6, 2019
With Firmino also ruled out, can they still turn this around? pic.twitter.com/UOrFW0abGh
Alexander Arnold on Salah and Firmino absence: "It presents an opportunity for the others lads to make themselves heroes."
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) May 6, 2019
Liverpool fans hearing that salah and firmino wont play against Barca pic.twitter.com/ZgJDYgFTVE
— CathaoirDoherty (@Cathaoir96) May 6, 2019
Salah
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) May 6, 2019
Keita
Firmino
What's your XI vs Barcelona tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/t4DTZwnUQ1
"Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are unavailable for tomorrow's second leg against Barcelona" pic.twitter.com/itXKquoeXw
— LFCVine (@LFCVine) May 6, 2019
No Firmino
— é (@PortugueseCule) May 6, 2019
No Salah
A goal to call it game
Messi and Valverde masterclass pic.twitter.com/djUV41IY3c
Shaqiri will likely get a start now that Salah is out while Origi could deputize in Firmino's absence. Klopp has one day left to perfect his tactics in what appears to be a losing cause.
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